PSN Name Changes are Incoming

Well, you did it, folks. After years, and years, and years of begging, Sony has finally obliged. PSN name changes are being implemented with a complete rollout arriving early next year.

The news was delivered by Sid Shuman, Director of Social Media for Sony Interactive Entertainment. Shuman confirmed that the PSN name changes will first be tested out as a beta within the PlayStation Preview Program. An exact date wasn’t given for the beta, Shuman’s article just says it will “kick off soon”. The beta will then conclude at the end of November.

Following the conclusion of the PSN name change beta in November, Shuman states that a ” full rollout of the feature to all PS4 owners is planned for early 2019.” Once implemented into the PlayStation 4’s firmware, players will be able to change their online IDs as frequently as they like. However, more than one change will come at a cost:

“During the preview program, you will be able to change your online ID as many times as you want. The first change is free, and changes after that will cost $9.99. For PlayStation Plus members, it will cost $4.99 after the first change. Changes to online ID can be made through the Settings menu or via the Profile page of your PS4.”

It was also confirmed that you’ll be able to display both your new online ID as well as your former one concurrently. You’ll need to decide upon this immediately though. Shuman says that “Once you decide to display your old ID or not, you won’t be able to adjust this after completing the online ID change process.”

Not every game will properly incorporate the PSN name changes though. Shuman states that any gave published after April 1st, 2018 will be fully functional with changes to online IDs. Games before that date are not guaranteed, but “a large majority of the most-played PS4 games that were released before this date” will be compatible.

It was then stressed that “not all games and applications for PS4, PS3 and PS Vita systems are guaranteed to support the online ID change.” Shuman warns that occasionally problems may arise following the creation of a new PSN ID.